Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun

China hopes that Finland will view China's normal development of relations with other countries rationally and objectively, maintain an open mind, and refrain from politicizing or over-securitizing economic and trade issues, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a regular press conference on Friday.

Guo made the remarks in response to a foreign reporter inquiry seeking comments on recent remarks by the Finnish Foreign Minister, claiming that the close relationship between China and Russia might affect China-EU relations and on whether China will consider scaling back its relations with Russia if the close relationship between China and Russia becomes a factor influencing China's trade negotiations with the EU.

The essence of China-EU economic and trade relations is mutual benefit and win-win, Guo said. "Strengthening dialogue and consultation and deepening economic and trade cooperation on the basis of mutual respect is in the common interest of China and the EU, and is also the common expectation of enterprises and people on both sides," Guo said.